Bvlgari Assioma Mens White Gold Watch AAW48WGL

Bvlgari Assioma Mens White Gold Watch AAW48WGL by Elizabeth Lowry

Although I am not keen on the idea of gold watches for men, I can make an exception for white gold, perhaps because it looks very much like silver. In addition to white gold, this Bulgari Assioma men’s watch includes a white guilloche dial. To those who are not familiar with the term, guilloche is a form of very delicate mechanical engraving, typically reflecting a geometric or architectural pattern. The dial features only two Arabic numerals (12 and 6), while the other hours are indicated by silvery indexes. Further, the pale watch face and 18 karat white gold casing on this 48 mm timepiece are set off beautifully by a black alligator strap. The bezel on this watch is square in shape, softened by curving lines above and below the dial. The section of the casing to the right and left of the dial are textured, but no Bulgari logo appears on this timepiece other than discreetly on the dial itself.

Pros: This watch has a 72 power reserve, which is unusually large. It also boasts a power reserve indicator and will keep track of seconds as well as hours and minutes.

Possible cons: For some consumers, the fact that this watch is mechanical with manual winding may present a problem as it needs frequent attention. However, traditionalists may enjoy engaging with their watch in this manner—and may find it interesting to compare their watch’s performance with that of other models. On the plus side, a mechanical self-winding movement is rarer (and therefore more exclusive) than an automatic movement. Be aware that if a mechanical watch remains unworn (and unwound) for a couple of days, its power will begin to dwindle and will need to be re-started. Again, for mechanical movement enthusiasts, this will not come as an unwelcome surprise, but people who are used to quartz movements may find it frustrating. Further, although leather straps are beautiful, they require attention. They shouldn’t get wet and must be carefully cleaned. Alligator straps are not water-friendly, so if your strap gets dirty you will have to try to clean it without using water. The color of the strap will also fade with excessive exposure to the sun and may become brittle in hot dry climates.

Keep in mind that luxury watches are often considered to be works of art rather than practical time-keepers. For this reason, I would say that the $ 24, 800 price tag on this watch is worth it only for those who appreciate fine workmanship and artistry over pure functionality.